Question for all you lightning rods

Stillraining · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010

Question for all you lightnig rods

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OK ...We have just rewired our boat and have original wires coming off all the main chain-plates for lighting I guess.

Neither the electrician nor i remember where these were hooked to.

The back stay ones seem to line up with hooking up to the through hull radio grounding plate...I forget the brand name but it is about 4" x 10' and gold in color and very porous.

The front ones all terminate around the mast base but we have no clue as to where they should hook to....The yard suggested hooking then to my new SS mast base but that makes no sense to me. The current would just make a loop...actually it would have to jump as my mast is now insulated from the mast base with delrin.

Im thinking hooking to a keel bolt would be better.

Any thoughts?

SuenosAzules · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

This is a tricky question because of the lack of information and sighting you have on the conductors. However if this were my boat I would start with attempting to get a schematic diagram of the vessel's lightning protection system. Then I would research ABYC TE-4 (Lightning Protection Recommendations) to have a general idea of what my boat would require. I would then hire a very qualified marine electrician to help me in establishing a route for a lightning conductor path that led out into the water and would not arch somewhere into the boat. I have seen vessels hit by lightning where the bolt arched into pathways in the fiberglass hull. It actually looked like the vessel was shot up with a large caliper gun. Dozens of little holes could be seen anywhere the lightning touched. I would not sleep well until I knew this was squared away. This is one of those things you should not be afraid to spend money on to properly correct. I would be interested in hearing the solution if you find one. Take care...

CapTim · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

I don't know.. in the religious debate that is lightening prevention/cure, I guess I'm on the agnostic side.

I'm not sure there is a right way or a wrong way to gear up a boat for lightening. I _am_ sure that if such a thing exists, it's never been demonstrated beyond limited anecdotal references.

So, for what it might be worth, I'd say attach those suckers however you want. Lightening is a fickle thing, in my experience (another anecdotal reference, woot!) it really doesn't care what it's 'supposed' to do.

I guess my thought would be more in the range of galvanic corrosion... once you tie your SS wire to your bronze through hulls and lead keel. Sure.. give all those guys an easy conductive pathway, and watch the fun!

Stillraining · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

Thanks to both.

And That's a very good point CapTim: But..my pea brain then asks... Would it really matter though?... as the SS rigging or other SS bits would not be submerged in the electrolyte?

sailor50 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

Stillraining writes:

OK ...We have just rewired our boat and have original wires coming off all the main chain-plates for lighting I guess.

Never heard of such a thing - and you report in from the state of Washington! I am in the South and have never seen or heard of such a setup...enlighten us please.

Stillraining · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor50

Stillraining writes:

OK ...We have just rewired our boat and have original wires coming off all the main chain-plates for lighting I guess.

Never heard of such a thing - and you report in from the state of Washington! I am in the South and have never seen or heard of such a setup...enlighten us please.

LOL...OK make that LightNing...as in a bolt of....zap your dead kind...light up the sky sort of lighting.....Sorry about that..

What? you never seen a Christmas boat parade?..Sheeeh!...

It was corect in the thread titel...was it realy that hard to figure out?..

sailor50 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

I still don't get your post - you have a Dyna Plate to connect your SSB/HAM, in the hull underwater, but want to know what the errant cables to your chainplates are for.

CapTim · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Thanks to both.

And That's a very good point CapTim: But..my pea brain then asks... Would it really matter though?... as the SS rigging or other SS bits would not be submerged in the electrolyte?

Yeah, but that's the thing.. once you install all that heavy copper wire, the dissimilar metals on your boat won't need an electrolyte anymore. The electrolyte, after all, is really just a big conductor (yeah, that's overly simplified, but the point is there). once you connect all those parts with copper (a big conductor), you are doing the ocean's work for it.

Maybe it also helps in a lightening strike. Maybe not. But it'll certainly beat the heck out of your bronze and zinc.

Stillraining · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapTim

Yeah, but that's the thing.. once you install all that heavy copper wire, the dissimilar metals on your boat won't need an electrolyte anymore. The electrolyte, after all, is really just a big conductor (yeah, that's overly simplified, but the point is there). once you connect all those parts with copper (a big conductor), you are doing the ocean's work for it.

Maybe it also helps in a lightening strike. Maybe not. But it'll certainly beat the heck out of your bronze and zinc.

Nuts!...nothings simple is it...not much risk of a strike in these parts...maybe Ill just leave well enough alone.

Im a pretty simple man with limited hard drive and RAM capibilitys...all this kind of theoretical stuff makes my CPU hurt.

Stillraining · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor50

I still don't get your post - you have a Dyna Plate to connect your SSB/HAM, in the hull underwater, but want to know what the errant cables to your chainplates are for.

I know what the errant cables are for...where they were hooked to is whats the mystery....the ones to the "Dana Plate" (thanks for that..

) are a 75% affirmative that's where they were hooked to before because they fit perfictly ...The forward sets is the main mystery.

Now we are beyond where to hook them up as in say a Keel bolt being the best choice...and on to maybe best not to not hook them up at all..

Hope that helps.

Whats your opinion on it all?.

FWIW... this appears to be a factory install as they are glassed in the hull at the chain plates locations...obviously intentionally connected to direct any current comming down a shroud or stay....The wire appears to be about 6 or 8 gauge, heavily insulated.